Shaqiri pays credit to Swiss team-mates

Switzerland winger Xherdan Shaqiri paid credit to his team-mates, after his hat-trick in their 3-0 FIFA World Cup win over Honduras.

Published

26 June 2014

The Bayern Munich man scored in the sixth, 31st and 71st minutes in Manaus on Wednesday, to send Ottmar Hitzfeld's men into a last-16 date with Argentina.

Shaqiri opened the scoring at the Arena da Amazonia with a pearler from range, before Josip Drmic twice assisted his team-mate to nurture him to the 50th hat-trick at a World Cup finals.

And the 22-year-old, who also pointed to his team-mates after goals two and three, said his feat was the result of a team effort.

"I wanted us to play football and we did that. I wouldn't have scored three goals without them," Shaqiri said.

"I'm very proud of my hat-trick; I'm never going to forget this but that said I'm more proud of us as a team and that we've qualified for the round of 16."

On their impending clash with Alejandro Sabella's side on Tuesday, Shaqiri said his team would be unfancied against a tournament favourite but was not giving up on his plucky side who qualified out of Group E with two wins.

"It's a dream – small Switzerland against Argentina. It will be a great match and we'll be ready for them," Shaqiri said.

"Although we're underdogs, anything is possible. You never know in football."